Doctor of Education

The Doctor of Education offers candidates the opportunity for advanced self-reflective research into the education profession and professional practice in education. The specific aim of the Doctor of Education is to develop research professionals, through completion of coursework and a research thesis.

Students undertaking this degree are assigned to a supervisor and an associate supervisor.

On this page:

• Why study at Sydney University
• Structure of the Program
• Finding a supervisor and constructing a research proposal
• Entry requirements
• Conditions of Candidature
• Where to get more information
• Fees

The University of Sydney is Australia's premier research University, and the Faculty of Education and Social Work is a world-class research centre in the humanities, human services and related fields.

The Faculty & University offer extensive financial and academic support to research students in the form of office space and equipment, a Postgraduate Student Research Scheme, access short courses on research skills and thesis production through the Learning Centre and access to a number of research methods courses. An extensive range of scholarships and prizes are also available to research students.

The Doctor of Education program is made up of three phases: preliminary work, carrying out a set of articulated research studies, and preparing the final thesis for examination. These phases are as follows:

Phase 1 - Coursework and Research Tasks and Proposal Defense

At the end of Phase I students shall attend and give a presentation derived from their research to either the faculty cluster meeting that is appropriate to their topic or at one of the biannual Faculty Research Seminars. In addition, the student shall defend their research proposal to a panel consisting of:

• the Principal Supervisor
• the Associate Supervisor
• an appointed Chair

Phase 2 - Set of Articulated Research Studies

The research component of the program will, normally, be composed of two or three different yet interrelated research studies, framed by an interpretive exegesis which contextualises the set of studies, draws together the conclusions made in each of them, and makes clear how the otherwise separate studies together make an original contribution to knowledge of and about the profession. These studies will be carried out in Phase 2 of the program thus:

• Research Study 1
• Research Study 2
• Research Study 3

While not excluding other possibilities, students will carry out a range of different kinds of studies within their topic area, including the possibility of:

• historical studies;
• policy analyses;
• case studies and/or evaluation studies of innovative or otherwise exemplary programs or practices that give insight into the nature and development of professional practice;
• an experimental study of some appropriate kind;
• textual or discourse analyses; and
• practitioner research into the nature and development of professional practice (the work), the knowledge and capabilities of practitioners (the worker), and the practice setting (the workplace).

Students will normally undertake two or three research studies in their topic area, each of a different kind. Alternatively, they may do two or three projects of one kind. Each of the student’s studies should be of publishable quality. Although part of an integrated program, each should be of sufficient merit in its own terms to make a contribution to the relevant field. Some of these reports may be published before candidates complete their degree studies. They will nevertheless be subject to examination as part of the set of projects of work constituting the overall program.

Phase 3 - Preparing the Final Thesis for Examination

At the end of the program, students tie their work together with an extended exegesis that contextualises and interprets the separate studies, demonstrating what is added to professional knowledge and practice from the multi-faceted perspective produced by the set of articulated studies.

This phase, thus, involves: compiling and revising the individual research studies writing and integrating the exegesis into the overall piece of work.

Examination of the Thesis

The set of articulated research projects making up the overall doctoral thesis will be examined by three examiners - persons with the same kinds of qualifications as are generally required for doctoral-level examinations, but with an understanding of, and commitment to, research into and within professional practice.

Procedures for examination of the thesis will be the same as for the Doctor of Philosophy. However, additional information about the nature of the EdD will be sent to the thesis examiners.

Note for Overseas Candidates

After the satisfactory completion of the first year of study and approval of the thesis proposal, the candidate may return to his/her own country to complete Phases 2 and 3 of the degree. During these phases, the associate supervision will be provided by staff in an affiliated University and through regular electronic communication with the principal supervisor and the student’s project advisors.

In finding a supervisor, you are advised to use our enquiry form.

Furthermore, our website provides a comprehensive list of the key research interests of our staff. You can also search our directory.

We also have some useful advice on constructing a research proposal.

Direct Admission

• Submit a research proposal (500 – 1,000 words) addressing criteria specified by the Faculty

plus

• at least three years’ professional experience in education or a related field

and one of the following

• a Bachelor of Education (or related area of study) with first- or second-class honours

or

• a research Master of Education or equivalent published research-based work acceptable to the Faculty

or

• a Master of Philosophy in Education

or

• a coursework Master of Education awarded with merit, and which included a dissertation component of 12,000 –15,000 with a grade point average of at least 75 per cent in the degree

Pathway A

• A research proposal (500 – 1,000 words) addressing criteria specified by the Faculty

plus

• at least three years’ professional experience in education or a related field

and

• a master’s (coursework) degree awarded with merit and with a grade-point average of at least 75 per cent

and

• an amount of scholarly writing and/or research expertise e.g, published journal articles – which, in the opinion of the admissions committee, is equivalent to a master’s research thesis. Copies of such writings must be submitted with the application

Students will be enrolled in the Doctor of Education degree and take the following units of study:

• EDPK5003 Developing a Research Project
• EDPZ5001 The Researching Professional
• EDPZ5003 EdD Thesis Proposal A
• EDPZ5002 EdD Thesis Proposal B
• Research Methods or specialist units as recommended by the supervisor

Direct Admission Candidates

Present and defend a research proposal at an EdD students’ research colloquium. This research proposal should extend the research proposal presented in the candidate’s original application and should include a critical review of relevant literature and an outline of the student’s proposed methodology. It is recommended the extended research proposal be 6,000-8,000 words. Candidature is confirmed once the extended research proposal has been approved by the student’s thesis committee.

Pathway A Candidates

At the end of the first 12 months of full-time candidature (or the part-time equivalent), if the conditions stipulated above are NOT met, the candidates progress will be reviewed and may NOT be allowed to continue in the EdD program, instead candidate may request to transfer into the Master of Education and be given credit for coursework already completed.

If you have got a question about this degree program, please ask it via our feedback form or contact Dr Lesley Scanlon.

Local Students

No fees are necessary for local students undertaking a research degree.

International Students

International 2008 fees are AUD$19,440 p.a. (for a year of full time study - 48 credit points or equivalent).

Comprehensive information about international fees is available from the International Office.

Additional information for International applications is also available from this website.

Please note these fees may increase in subsequent years.